Shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like



Nov. 29, 1955 R. c. FANNING 2,725,139

SHIPPING PACKAGE FOR SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN AND THE LIKE Filed May 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY$I Nov. 29, 1955 R. c. FANNING SHIPPING PACKAGE FOR SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN AND THE LIKE Filed May 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T 1 lP/c/mw Z/M United States Patent SHIPPING PACKAGE FOR SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN AND THE LIKE Richard C. Fanning, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 7, 1952, Serial No. 286,503

6 Claims. (Cl. 206-52) This invention relates to shipping packages or containers, and particularly to an improved package for shipping slide fastener chain and the like.

In the slide fastener industry, it is oftentimes desirable to supply customers with so-called continuous length slide fastener chain or stringer in preference to fasteners which have been cut to length. When such continuous chain is furnished, the customer cuts the desired length or lengths of fastener from the end of the chain as needed to satisfy the particular length fastener required for the particular application or use.

Heretofore, such continuous length chain was supplied either in skeins or on reels. If the chain was supplied in skeins, it frequently became tangled and was diificult to handle. In case it was supplied on reels, such reels were relatively expensive and it was necessary that they be returned to the chain manufacturer for re-use which was inconvenient as well as expensive. Also, the reeling of the chain tightly on such reels oftentimes results in a curve being permanently set in the tape of the chain which is undesirable for reasons known to those skilledin the art.

The present invention relates to a collapsible reel-like core member, preferably made of a relatively inexpensive semi-rigid material such as cardboard, disposed in a carton or container of similar material which may be disposed of after it has served a single use. I

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved disposable package for shipping slide fastener chain and the like wherein there is provided a collapsible reel-like core member around which the fastener chain is wound which can be easily and conveniently deposited in a carton or container for shipment and storage.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved disposable package for shipping slide fastener chain and the like which is simple and inexpensive in its construction and, at the same time, effective and eflicient in its use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved disposable package for shipping slide fastener chain and the like which is relatively light in weight and, at the same time, sufiiciently strong and rugged to contain safely the chain while in transit and in use.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a disposable package for slide fastener chain and the like having a reel-like core member which, when in a collapsed condition, can be easily packaged for shipment or storage and which may be easily and quickly expanded for reeling or unreeling the chain thereonto or therefrom.

Various other obejcts and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the tion may assume in practice.

ice

In these drawings:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view of the improved shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the completed package assembly showing the reel-like core member in collapsed condition and disposed therein for shipment or storage;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the reel-like core member in an expanded condition and positioned around a drum for reeling or unreeling;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the core member and drum as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the reel-like core member in a flat condition and before the ends thereof are joined together to provide the completed unit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved package of the present invention consists of a reel-like core member 2, preferably made of cardboard or some other semi-rigid material. This core member is fabricated preferably as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, with a slot 3 arranged in one end thereof and a tongue 4 arranged on the opposite end thereof. The two ends are joined with the tongue 4 disposed in the slot 3 and the ends preferably held together by means of staples 5, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, so as to provide a continuous band-like member.

The core member 2 consists preferably of two pairs of quadrant-like sections or portions 6 and 7 with each pair spaced from each other by relatively wide hinge-like portions 8, and with a flexible hinge-like portion 9 arranged between the sections of each of the pairs of sections. Along the outer edge of each of the sections or portions 7, there is arranged a marginal flange portion 10 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. Thus, it will be seen that the core member is fabricated from a single piece of material, such as cardboard.

There is provided an elongated rectangular-shaped container or carton 12 in which the core member is disposed for shipment and storage. This carton or container is also made preferably of cardboard and consists of a bottom part 13 and a top or cover 14. This bottom part 13 has inside dimensions slightly larger than those of the core member 2 when the latter is in a collapsed condition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, with the inside depth of the bottom part being substantially equal to the thickness of the core member when col lapsed at the marginal flange portion thereof, as shown in Fig. 2.

The package of my invention is used in the following manner. The core member 2 is arranged in its expanded condition, as shown in Fig. 3. In such expanded condition, it will be seen that the core member has substantially a square or polygonal-shaped cross section. The core member in such expanded condition is then positioned preferably on a suitable drum 15 also having substantially a square or polygonal-shaped cross section conforming substantially to the inner dimensions of the core member when expanded. The core member is now in readiness to receive the fastener chain and it is then reeled thereon.

The end of a continuous length of slide fastener chain Fig. 1 of the drawings. In such condition, it will be seen that the two pairs of sections 6 and 7 are disposed substantially in parallel relation with one pair positioned a spaced distance above the other by the hinge-like portions 8. It will be seen that the core member in such collapsed condition has substantially an elongatedrectangular-shaped cross section.

The marginal flange portions 10 not only aid to guide the fastener chain during the reeling operation, but also tend to strengthen the core member especially when it is in its collapsed condition. It will be understood that the convolutions of fastener chain on the core member is within the bounds of the outer edges of the marginal flange portions and preferably do not extend therebeyond.

The core member 2 together with the chain C wrapped therearound is then deposited in the bottom part 13 of the boxor carton 12 in a manner shown in Fig. l, and the cover or top 14 is then placed over the bottom part to complete the packaging. The core member together with the chain therearound will assume a position in the box as shown in Fig. 2. In such position, it will be seen that the flange portions iii of the core member will be disposed against the inner side wall of the bottom part 13 of the box, and that the core member together with the chain thereon is supported solely by these flange portions. It will also be seen that the height of the core'member at the flange portions in thereof is substantially equal to the inside depth of the bottom part 13 thereby preventing the core member and. chain from moving around within the box after it is once placed therein and the cover placed thereon. The package is now in readiness for shipment or storage.

When it is desired to use the chain, the core member together with the chain thereon is removed from the box and arranged in expanded condition as when reeling and preferably placed on a drum similar to the drum l5 originally employed in the reeling operation and the chain is unreeled therefrom as desired in an obvious manner. After the desired length or lengths of fastener chain are taken from the core member, in case it is not all used at one time, the core member 2 with the remainder of the unused chain thereon is again collapsed or folded and placed back in the box and storedif desired for future use. When the entire length of chain is used, the core member together with the box may be disposed of.

While the package of the present invention is designed primarily for use in packaging slide fastener chain or stringers, it will be understood that it may be used for packaging any other continuous length flexible material such as wire, tape, rope, and the like.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided an inexpensive, neat, and compact package which can be conveniently packed for shipment and which requires a minimum amount of space when stored; It will also be seen that my package due to its construction is strong and sturdy and while relatively light in weight is not subject easily to crushing or damage and that the product is safely stored therein so as to be protectedfrom damage.

While I have shown and described an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purmember has substantially an elongated rectangular-shaped crosssection, said quadrant-like sections adapted to be moved away from one another to an expanded position so as to assume substantially a square-shaped cross section for reeling and unreeling said chain, a rectangularshaped container made of cardboard having inside dimensions substantially conforming to the outer dimensions of said core member when in collapsed condition and in which said core member together with the chain carried thereby is disposed, and a flange portion arranged along the outer marginal edge of each. of said sections which flange portions are adapted to be disposed along the inner side walls of said container, the flange portions together with the folded opposed sections-when the core member is collapsed being equal substantially to the inside depth of said container so that the core member together with the chain thereon is rigidly supported therein.

2. A shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like comprising a. collapsible reel-like core member around which a plurality. of convolutions of fastener chain are disposed, said core member consisting of an elongated piece of cardboard folded upon itself with the free ends thereof connected together so as to provide a circuitous arrangement, said core member being constructed and arranged so as to provide four quadrantlike sections successively connected together by hinge-like portions arranged between each of said sections, two of said quadrant-like sections adapted to lie adjacent and substantially parallel to the opposed quadrant-like sec tions when thecore member is in a collapsed condition whereby the core member has substantially an elongated rectangular shaped crosssection, each of said quadrantlike sections having an outwardly extending marginal flange portion arranged integral therewith so as to be disposed substantially perpendicular to the body portion of the respective quadrant-like sections, said quadrantlike sections adapted to be moved away from one another to an expanded position so as to assume a substantially square-shaped cross-section for reeling and unreeling the fastener chain.

3. A shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like comprising a collapsible reel-like core member around which a plurality of convolutions of fastener pose of illustration and description, and that other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as definedin the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like comprising a collapsible reel-like core member made.

of cardboard and around which a plurality of convolutions of fastener chain are disposed, said core member consisting of four quadrantdike sections successively connected together by hinge-like portions, two of said'quadrant-like sections adapted tolie in close proximity above the opposed two quadrant-like sections when the core member is in a collapsed condition whereby the core chain are disposed, said core member consisting of an elongated piece of cardboard having a transversely extending hinge-like spacer portion arranged substantially" centrally thereof, and similar transversaly extending interlocking hinge-like-spacer portions arranged on the free ends thereof which are interlocked with one another, said piece of cardboard being folded upon itself at said hinge=like portions so that substantially one half of said core member is disposed opposite'and substantally parallel to the other half and spaced from one another by said hinge-like portions whereby a circuitous arrange ment is'provided, each of said halves of said core member' having a hinge-like portion arranged substantially centrally thereof so as to provide four quadrant-like sections successively connected together at all of said hinge- ]ike'portions whereby two of said quadrant-like sections are disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the opposed quadrantdike sectionswhen the core member is in a collapsed condition, each of said quadrant-like sections having an outwardly extending marginal flange portion arranged integral therewith so as to be disposed substantially perpendicular to the body portion of the respective quadrant-like sections, said quadrant-like sections adapted to be moved .away from one another to an expanded position so as to assume a substantially squareshaped cross-section for reeling and unreeling the fastener chain.

4. A .shippingpackage for slide fastener chaintand the like comprising a collapsible reel-like core member around which a plurality of convolutions of fastener chainlare.v disposed, said core member consistingof an even number of semi-rigid sections integrally connected together by hinge-like portions, one half of the number of said sections adapted to lie opposite and substantially parallel to the other half of the number of said sections when the core member is in a collapsed condition whereby the core member has substantially an elongated rectangular-shaped cross section, said sections adapted to be moved away from one another to an expanded position so as to assume substantially a polygonal-shaped cross section for reeling and unreeling said chain, a container in which said core member is adapted to be disposed when in collapsed condition, and a marginal flange portion arranged along the opposite outer edges of said sections which act both as side guides for the fastener chain and as a supporting means for the core member in the container.

5. A shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like comprising a collapsible reel-like core member around which a plurality of convolutions of fastener chain are disposed, said core member consisting of an even number of semi-rigid sections integrally connected together by hinge-like portions, one half of the number of said sections adapted to lie opposite and substantially parallel to the other half of the number of said sections when the core member is in a collapsed condition whereby the core member has substantially an elongated rectangular-shaped cross section, said sections adapted to be moved away from one another to an expanded position so as to assume substantially a polygonal-shaped cross section for reeling and unreeling said chain, a container in which said core member is adapted to be disposed when in collapsed condition, said container being made of cardboard having inside dimensions slightly larger than the collapsed core member when the fastener chain is disposed therearound, and an outwardly extending marginal flange portion arranged along each of the opposite outer edges of the semi-rigid sections, the flange portions together with the folded opposed sections being equal substantially to the height of the container so that the core member together with the chain thereon is rigidly supported therein.

6. A shipping package for slide fastener chain and the like comprising a collapsible reel-like core member around which a plurality of convolutions of fastener chain are disposed, said core member consisting of four quadrantlike sections successively connected together by hingelike portions, two of said quadrant-like sections adapted to lie in close proximity above the opposed two quadrant-like sections when the core member is in a collapsed condition whereby the core member has substantially an elongated rectangular-shaped cross section, said quadrantlike sections adapted to be moved away from one another to an expanded position so as to assume substantially a square-shaped cross section for reeling or unreeling said chain, a container having inside dimensions substantially conforming to the outer dimensions of said core member when in collapsed condition and in which said core member together with the chain carried thereby is disposed, and a marginal flange portion arranged along the opposite outer edges of each of said quadrant-like sections which flange portions act both as side guides for the fastener chain and as a supporting means for said core member in the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 332,038 Barnes Dec. 8, 1885 811,898 Billstein Feb. 6, 1906 1,812,311 Wolf June 30, 1931 1,957,256 Frey May 1, 1934 2,043,118 Protz June 2, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,292 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1938 

